Toxic shellfish warning revised

Regular shellfish monitoring
along the coast has seen Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
levels fall along part of the Bay of Plenty
coastline.

“There is now no PSP concern from Pukehina
eastwards. However, the current warning remains in place
from Waihi Beach to the northern end of Pukehina,” says
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Phil Shoemack

The Medical
Officer of Health continues to advise against gathering or
eating shellfish from Waihi Beach, along the Bay of Plenty
coast to Pukehina. The warning includes Tauranga Harbour,
Maketu and Waihi estuaries, Matakana and Motiti Islands, and
all other islands along this coastline.

The health warning
applies to all bi-valve shellfish including mussels, pipi,
tuatua, cockles, oysters, scallops as well as cat’s eyes,
snails and kina (sea urchin). PSP is caused by natural
toxins that are produced by algal blooms and accumulate in
shellfish that feed on the algae. Shellfish containing toxic
levels of paralytic shellfish poison don't look or taste any
different from shellfish that are safe to eat. Cooking or
freezing the shellfish does not remove the toxin. Paua,
crayfish and crabs can still be taken but as always, the gut
should be removed before cooking or eating.

Eating
shellfish affected by paralytic shellfish toxin can cause
numbness and tingling around the mouth, face, hands and
feet; difficulty swallowing or breathing; dizziness; double
vision; and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory
failure. These symptoms can start as soon as 1-2 hours
after eating toxic shellfish and usually within 12 hours.
Anyone suffering illness after eating shellfish should seek
urgent medical attention.

Monitoring of toxin levels will
continue along the coast and any changes in advice will be
communicated accordingly. The public can obtain up-to-date
information on the toxic shellfish health warning through
these channels:

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